Job Specifications
AI Forge - the UK's only dedicated AI Incubator with global expansion plans
We are looking for a full-time AI technology leader to join our senior team and help shape the future of AI innovation in the UK. This is a founding-level role inside the incubator, combining the responsibilities of a CTO, mentor, strategist, and platform builder.
This is not a "fractional" advisory post -- you will be a core leader of our incubator, steering technical strategy for both our startups and our internal platforms.
Core Responsibilities
Founder Support
Lead technical due diligence on all incoming startups, stress-testing AI business models and validating their technical feasibility.
Work with founders to scope the smallest valuable proof of concept (POC) that can unlock customer traction or investment.
Oversee development of POCs with internal and external developer teams, ensuring delivery on time and on budget.
Run hands-on training, deep-dive workshops on AI tools, & cloud platforms.
Provide 1:1 mentoring to founders on AI solution design, cost optimisation, data strategy, and scalability.
Support founders in building their first platforms, hiring a CTO as Co-Founder and preparing dev roadmaps and technical narratives for investors.
Incubator Operations (AI Forge)
Introduce AI-powered solutions to streamline and automate the running of the 12-week program encompassing the 8 ecosystems (founders, mentors, investors, corporates, university spin-outs, developers, partners, government).
Own and reimagine our proprietary platform Forge Finder:
Run stakeholder discovery across the incubator.
Analyse competitor platforms (e.g. Y Combinator, Antler) for feature inspiration.
Evaluate existing assets for potential reuse.
Define & oversee the build of next-generation Forge Finder and public website.
Ensure seamless integration between platform, website, incubator operations and the use of Forge Finder by applicants, successful applicants and investors.
Help create the briefing doc to support the AI Innovation Hackathons we do for Corporates.
Strategic & Ecosystem Leadership
Act as the public face of AI expertise for the incubator -- representing us at conferences, panels, and in the media.
Maintain a radar on emerging AI technologies and vendors, ensuring our founders always benefit from the latest, most cost-effective solutions.
Shape the incubator's AI curriculum -- from tools and ethics to compliance, scaling, and monetisation.
Ensure all incubator startups follow ethical, compliant AI practices (AI Act, GDPR, UK regulatory environment).
Support the senior leadership team in defining the incubator's technical strategy and partnerships with cloud providers, AI labs, and enterprise partners.
Ideal Profile
Former CTO or Head of AI in a startup/scaleup (preferably AI-first).
Track record of getting your hands dirty actually building and scaling AI products end-to-end.
Strong grasp of AI/ML tools, generative AI, LLMs, data strategy, and cloud economics.
Experience of having seen the startup fundraising journey -- able to coach founders on technical due diligence.
A natural mentor and educator, with the ability to inspire technical and non-technical founders alike.
Thrives in high-growth, high-ambiguity environments where strategy and execution go hand in hand.
Why Join Us?
Be part of the core leadership team at the UK's only AI-dedicated incubator.
Directly shape the future of dozens of AI startups every year.
Build flagship technology platforms (Forge Finder) that define how incubators of the future operate.
Gain visibility as a thought leader in the UK AI ecosystem.
This role is as much about vision and leadership as it is about hands-on delivery. We are looking for someone who can think like a founder, act like a CTO, and teach like a mentor.
About the Company
AI Forge is a world-class AI incubator headquartered in London, dedicated to nurturing and funding over 45 new AI startups annually. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovative founders to disrupt industries, drive economic growth, and tackle real-world challenges. We offer a comprehensive 12-week program, including 8 weeks of in-person collaboration, running 3 cohorts per year with 25 companies in each. At AI Forge, we connect startups with experienced mentors and leading corporates to help them succeed and ...
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